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Fan Control Mod

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by blown240, May 30, 2011.

  1. blown240

    blown240 Junior Member

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    I am seriously considering doing this mod http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Prius_OEM_fan_control

    The reason I want to do it is because I work in the desert and regularly drive over 500 miles a day, much of that driving is stop and go. In the summer months its common for the outside temps to reach into the 120s. Since this mod will allow me to cool the batteries more, it seems like something that would be worthwhile.

    My question is this - Does this mod, when turned off - have any effect on the stock use of the fan? For instance, I plan on using a toggle switch to turn it on and off, and during the cooler months I would probably never use it. I would want the stock controller to still control the fan.

    Also I was thinking of using a time delay relay on it, so that when you turn the car off, the cooling fan would stay on for about a minute, to continue to cool the traction battery. I doubt it would drain the 12v battery too much.

    Thanks for any info you can provide!
     
    #1 blown240, May 30, 2011
  2. stefano5777

    stefano5777 Member

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    Can't help you with your question but did I read this right?? You drive 500 miles a day?? If that is right you have one hell of a commute!
     
    #2 stefano5777, May 30, 2011
  3. blown240

    blown240 Junior Member

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    ya You read it right! I did 800 miles one day last week! I inspect vacant homes for the bank. I live in Orange County Ca and my territory starts in Indio and goes all the way east to Arizona and South to Salton City.

    Thats why I bought a hybrid. I dont work many days a month, but when I do its a lot of miles. I put 60k miles on last year.
     
    #3 blown240, May 30, 2011
  4. stefano5777

    stefano5777 Member

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    Wow thats all I can think of to say right now!! Do they pay you for mileage?instead of fan mod buy a small solar panel for roof of car since you are in so much sun light and install a few computer fans in car to circulate are all day will not drain anything you will not need to hack car. ebay sells them cheap.
     
    #4 stefano5777, May 30, 2011
  5. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Blowing 120F outside air over the batteries is already going to put them outside their comfort range. What is the temperature inside the car when it is 120 outside?
     
    #5 Corwyn, May 30, 2011
  6. blown240

    blown240 Junior Member

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    I have the AC blasting, but I also have to have my windows down to take pictures. (I take about 800 pics a day) So its hard to say exactly how cool it is in the back seat because I have all the AC vents pointing at me and I guarantee alot of the cool air escapes out the windows.

    I still figure the more air over the batteries the better.
     
    #6 blown240, May 30, 2011
  7. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Well, air will only cool the batteries if it is cooler than they are, that's all I'm saying.
     
    #7 Corwyn, May 30, 2011
  8. blown240

    blown240 Junior Member

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    True.


    Does anybody know how this mod effects the stock fan circuit when the mod is off?
     
    #8 blown240, May 31, 2011
  9. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    I would consider using a Thermo-Electric cooler in the battery fan air supply duct to cool the air going into the battery. You could salvage one from a Auto/Truck beverage cooler (less than $100 at a truck stop). They pull 4-5 amps (only have it work in "Ready" mode or it will drain your little 12v battery) of 12v power to maintain a temperature differential between two heat sinks.

    JeffD
     
    #9 jdenenberg, May 31, 2011
  10. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Clean windows plus a polarizing lens filter can make the window transparent for photos.

    JeffD
     
    #10 jdenenberg, May 31, 2011
  11. blown240

    blown240 Junior Member

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    REALLY? will it get rid of the window glare?

    I will look into the Cooler.
     
    #11 blown240, May 31, 2011
  12. tomlouie

    tomlouie Member

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    If you hold the camera as close to the window glass as possible, you'll cut down on a lot of the window glare.

    What kind of camera are you using? On my SLR, I use a rubber hood like this:

    rubber hood slr - Google Search

    ... that allows me to press the front of the lens up onto the glass, and the hood seals off any glare.

    If you can disable the flash on your camera, that'll help too, as the flash will cause more glare than it'll help with the exposure.
     
    #12 tomlouie, May 31, 2011
  13. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    #13 jdenenberg, May 31, 2011
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